The Canadian government will be lengthening the grace period for its semi-automatic gun ban from October 30 this year to October 30, 2025. .“The extension of the Order will ensure affected firearm owners and businesses continue to be protected from criminal liability for unlawful possession while they come into compliance with the law, including having the opportunity to take part in the buyback program,” said Public Safety Canada (PSC) in a Wednesday statement. .Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2020 Canada would restrict 1,500 makes and models of assault-style rifles. .Licensed gun owners would be barred from selling, transporting, importing or using semi-automatic guns. .There was a two-year amnesty period imposed at the time to ensure people followed the ban. People were encouraged to turn in their guns. .The PSC started off by saying Canadians should feel safe in their communities. That is why the Canadian government has been addressing gun violence with a plan that includes expanding firearms legislation and regulations, spending money on law enforcement and border operations and providing funding for communities to tackle the root causes of violence..A central part of this plan was the ban on semi-automatic firearms to address threats to public safety in communities. .As part of the ban, the Canadian government is developing a confiscation program to provide compensation to businesses and people who possess these guns..Engagement on this program continues with provinces, territories, municipalities, indigenous organizations and other stakeholders such as industry representatives and police associations. .Across Canada, it said firearms businesses have been storing their stock of prohibited weapons as of 2020. The goal of this program is to support the deactivation and destruction of prohibited firearms remaining in inventory with retailers, distributors and manufacturers across Canada. .It will look to compensate businesses for the cost of affected firearms inventory and associated costs related to the delivery of the program. .PSC acknowledged people who are in possession of prohibited firearms have been securing them since 2020. .“Firearms owners will be contacted when the buyback program for individual owners will be ready to launch,” it said. .“Additional information about the timing, compensation models and other program details will be available on this website in due course.”.The Canadian government announced an agreement with the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association to start a program to grab back banned firearms in April..READ MORE: First phase of Trudeau’s gun grab announced.Former public safety minister Marco Mendicino said the agreement was a significant step in confiscating guns. .“The successful implementation of this program is no small feat and we appreciate the expertise of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association,” said Mendicino.
